Hardness
Very Hard
315 PPM · 18.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Fort Branch, IN 47648
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Gibson County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Fort Branch Water Department
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Gibson County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 4,020 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
315 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
315
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
18.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 315 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
14
Nearest site
21.9 mi
Observation range
Feb 23, 2016–Sep 5, 2019
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: IN5287002 WARRICK 00105 PRODUCTION WELL 4 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 47648 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Fort Branch median
315 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 315–315 PPM
Indiana median
313 PPM
About the same472 indexed ZIP readings · Range 132–371 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | IN5226001 | Resolved | Dec 2, 2025through Jan 13, 2026 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IN5226001 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IN5226001 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Dec 8, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IN5226001 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | IN5226001 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Jan 13, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | IN5226001 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 23, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | IN5226001 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 23, 2024 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Fort Branch ZIP 47648 using 315 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
315 PPM is 3× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Fort Branch
Is tap water safe in Fort Branch?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 315 PPM, or 18.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 315 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.